Chief Scientific Adviser (National Security)

Chief Scientific Advisers (CSA) perform an independent challenge function, ensuring that science and engineering research, evidence and advice is robust, relevant and high quality. They bring scientific and engineering evidence to key decision-making, provide oversight and assurance of science and engineering capability and activities in their department.

The Chief Scientific Adviser for National Security (CSA) leads on advice and delivery of science and technology (S&T) for the three security and intelligence agencies: MI5, SIS (MI6) and GCHQ, with the post reporting to Director GCHQ. This includes overseeing UKIC's major S&T transformation effort via the Science, Technology and Engineering Programme (STEP).

As a member of the Government Chief Scientific Adviser's (GCSA) team, they also provide strategic advice on national security S&T in HMG and the wider national security community. The CSA engages widely with academia, international partners and industry to access and influence the best thinking and innovation to address national security problems. They then use this to both shape and implement HMG's strategic approach to national security S&T. The agenda is driven by the operational and strategic challenges facing us and the post will work in close partnership with colleagues across the agencies. The CSA also provides advice to senior officials and Ministers across HMG and the wider national security community.

The new CSA will have broad reach and influence, and will be responsible for:

• Providing strategic S&T advice to the three intelligence agency heads (Director GCHQ, DG MI5 and 'C') and working in partnership with their leadership teams. Bringing insight, challenge and support to their thinking on future direction and ensuring decisions are underpinned by robust evidence.



• Fulfilling the role of Senior Responsible Officer for STEP; UKIC's major transformation effort.



• Bringing S&T to bear on our sharpest problems, by connecting closely into mission, capability and enabling teams across the agencies.



• Advising on the direction of the agencies' organisational strategies, and their collaboration initiatives, particularly in the areas of data, technology and innovation.



• Develop understanding of the international S&T landscape to help shape UK national security thinking, identify opportunities, and build collaboration with international partners (both government and industry).



• Supporting, coordinating, and ensuring the coherence of S&T research and development programmes across the community.



• Sponsoring innovation, including engagement with the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF).



• Collaborating with international partners (both government and industry partners) on science and technology developments.



• Overseeing the MI5, SIS, and GCHQ Scientific Advisory Council.



• Supporting relevant S&T professions across the agencies, being an advocate for staff and supporting their professional development and careers. Helping to ensure that they have the right skills development and have access to the right knowledge and expertise within their departments to help meet departmental S&T linked business objectives.



• Representing the GCSA and national security science in a range of HMG fora.



• Providing linkage to, and insight from, world leading research groups, academia and industry and to build an external network of scientific/research expertise, including the most relevant experts from industry and academia.



• Engage thoroughly with the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and the Chief Scientific Advisers network (this cross-government working group is crucial to ensure that scientific advice in government is appropriately communicated and actioned).


Aside from SRO responsibilities in relation to STEP, the CSA does not have wider executive responsibilities. The post is a member of all three agencies Boards and participates in governance relevant to the strategic remit of the role.

They CSA should also engage thoroughly with GCSA and the CSA Network. This cross-government working group is crucial to ensure that scientific advice in government is appropriately communicated and actioned.

Person specification

The successful candidate will be an excellent strategic leader who will embrace our mission, live our values and lead by example.

They must be able to demonstrate their experience and skills against the following essential criteria, Candidates will be informed as soon as possible thereafter if they have been selected to proceed. The selection process will comprise the following assessments:

• Staff Engagement Panel


• Technical Assessment


• Psychometric Assessments


• Panel interview


Dates and locations for these assessment stages will be confirmed once the shortlist has been decided.


• Credibility as a scientist, engineer or technologist, renowned in a relevant discipline (for example, maths, data science, engineering, technology, computer science or behavioural science).



• Thought leadership, and demonstrable commitment to an evidence-driven approach.



• Senior leadership experience, with evidence of providing inspiring leadership and coordinating and driving delivery across disparate teams and partners.



• Experience of collaborating with international partners on science and technology.



• The ability to operate effectively in a complex stakeholder environment, with evidence of strong collaboration and strategic influencing.



• A record of seeking out sources of innovation, and promoting innovation, and tackling the challenges to effective 'pull-through'.



• Excellence in communication, able to connect across science, mission and policy communities.



• Committed to their own personal development, to growing capability in others, and to strongly promoting diversity and inclusion.


Competencies

You will be assessed against the following competences at SCS3/Director General:


• Seeing the Big Picture


• Working Collaboratively


• Communicating and Influencing


• Driving Innovation and Change


• Delivering Outcomes
  
  A fixed term appointment of three years with the potential to be extended up to five years. A secondment will also be considered.


• Nationality and Security Clearance: Agency Developed Vetting will be required. Security considerations impose limitations on travel and other personal activities, as well as a lifelong duty of confidentiality. Applicants will need to consider this when choosing to apply.


• Remuneration up to £156,163 annual salary; NSP £4,630, plus London Pay Addition of £6,250 (if applicable)


• Location: London, Cheltenham or Manchester


• Please be aware that this role requires the successful candidate will be publicly avowed.


Rewards and Benefits

A range of benefits will be available to you, including the following:

• 30 Days Annual Leave, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays


• Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme


• Interest-free season ticket loan


• Excellent pension scheme


• Cycle to work scheme


• Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)


• Paid parental and adoption leave.


Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply, you must meet our residency criteria. You must be a born or naturalised British citizen. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for 7 out of the last 10 years.

This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You will nonetheless be considered if you have, for example, served overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of Her Majesty's Government, studied abroad, or lived overseas with your parents. Further information on our eligibility criteria can be found here.